Photocatalytic devices

ABSTRACT

Photocatalytic devices are described. In some embodiments, a photocatalytic device may include a cylindrical housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; one or more catalyst substrates disposed within the cylindrical housing and adapted to support a hydroxyl radical reaction with ultraviolet light and water vapor that results in hydro peroxides and hydroxyl ions; an ultraviolet light source disposed within the cylindrical housing and adapted to provide the ultraviolet light to the one or more catalyst substrates; and a fan disposed within the cylindrical housing and adapted to cause air to enter the cylindrical housing via the inlet opening, circulate through the one or more catalyst substrates within the cylindrical housing, and exit the cylindrical housing via the outlet opening. The catalyst substrates comprising a hydrated multi-metallic catalyst having two or more elements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon and Fluoride.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention are directed, in general, to oxidationtechnology for air purification systems and, more specifically, tophotocatalytic devices.

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) light represents the frequency of light between 185nanometers (nm) and 400 nm, and it is invisible to the naked eye. Thereare three distinct bands of light within the UV spectrum: UV-A, UV-B,and UV-C. Longwave UV light (315 nm to 400 nm) or UV-A refers to what iscommonly called “black light.” UV-B (280 nm to 315 nm) or midrange UV isthe type of light that causes sunburn. Germicidal UV light (185 nm to280 nm) or UV-C is effective in microbial control. For example, researchhas demonstrated that UV light between 254 nm and 265 nm can be veryefficient in the destruction of various microbials and othermicroorganisms.

A photocatalytic air purifier is based on photocatalytic oxidation(PCO), a technology that converts fine particles and/or toxic gassesinto safer compounds. Generally speaking, a photocatalytic air cleanermay use broad-spectrum, ultraviolet light, which reacts with a chemicalcatalyst (e.g., thin-film titanium dioxide-based material) to oxidizeorganic compounds, thus reducing or eliminating certain microorganismsotherwise present in the air.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce certain concepts in a simplifiedform that are further described below in the Detailed Description. ThisSummary is not intended to identify key features or essential featuresof the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limitthe scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a photocatalytic device mayinclude a cylindrical housing having an inlet opening and an outletopening; one or more catalyst substrates disposed within the cylindricalhousing and adapted to support a hydroxyl radical reaction withultraviolet light and water vapor that results in hydro peroxides andhydroxyl ions; an ultraviolet light source disposed within thecylindrical housing and adapted to provide the ultraviolet light to theone or more catalyst substrates; and a fan disposed within thecylindrical housing and adapted to cause air to enter the cylindricalhousing via the inlet opening, circulate through the one or morecatalyst substrates within the cylindrical housing, and exit thecylindrical housing via the outlet opening.

For example, the one or more catalyst substrates may include a hydratedquad-metallic catalyst. The photocatalytic device may also include adiffuser coupled to the cylindrical housing and adapted to spread theair exiting the cylindrical housing via the outlet opening and/or apower supply coupled to the cylindrical housing and adapted to providepower to the ultraviolet light source and to the fan.

In some implementations, the photocatalytic device may be configured tooperate in an upright position. Additionally or alternatively, thephotocatalytic device may be configured to operate in a horizontalposition.

In some embodiments, the photocatalytic device may include one or morereflectors disposed within the cylindrical housing and positionedadjacent to the one or more catalyst substrates, the one or morereflectors having a shape configured to distribute reflected ultravioletlight from the ultraviolet light source across a surface of the one ormore catalyst substrates. In some cases, each of the one or morereflectors may have a curved edge. In other cases, each of the one ormore reflectors may have one or more straight edges.

In some implementations, the shape of the one or more reflectors may beconfigured to minimize a distance between the ultraviolet light sourceand a near surface of the one or more catalyst substrates. In otherimplementations, the shape of the one or more reflectors may beconfigured to minimize a distance between the ultraviolet light sourceand a far surface of the one or more catalyst substrates. Also, the oneor more catalyst substrates may comprise a cylindrical catalystsubstrate.

In another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may includecausing air to enter a cylindrical housing of a photocatalytic devicevia an inlet opening, circulate through one or more catalyst substrateswithin the cylindrical housing, and exit the cylindrical housing via anoutlet opening, the one or more catalyst substrates adapted to support ahydroxyl radical reaction with ultraviolet light and water vapor thatresults in hydro peroxides and hydroxyl ions within the photocatalyticdevice, the ultraviolet light provided by an ultraviolet light sourcedisposed within the cylindrical housing.

In some cases, causing the air to enter the cylindrical housing,circulate through the one or more catalyst substrates, and exit thecylindrical housing, may include powering a fan. Additionally oralternatively, causing the air to exit the cylindrical housing mayinclude outputting the air through a diffuser adapted to spread the airat the outlet opening.

In some implementations, the method may include reflecting theultraviolet light by one or more convex reflectors disposed within thecylindrical housing and positioned adjacent to the one or more catalystsubstrates. The shape of the one or more convex reflectors may beconfigured to minimize a distance between the ultraviolet light sourceand a near surface of the one or more catalyst substrates. Additionallyor alternatively, the shape of the one or more convex reflectors may beconfigured to minimize a distance between the ultraviolet light sourceand a far surface of the one or more catalyst substrates.

In yet another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method mayinclude providing a cylindrical housing having an inlet opening and anoutlet opening; assembling one or more catalyst substrates within thecylindrical housing and adapted to support a hydroxyl radical reactionwith ultraviolet light and water vapor that results in hydro peroxidesand hydroxyl ions; assembling an ultraviolet light source within thecylindrical housing and adapted to provide the ultraviolet light to theone or more catalyst substrates; positioning one or more convexreflectors within the cylindrical housing and adjacent to the one ormore catalyst substrates; and assembling a fan within the cylindricalhousing and adapted to cause air to enter the cylindrical housing viathe inlet opening, circulate through the one or more catalyst substrateswithin the cylindrical housing, and exit the cylindrical housing via theoutlet opening. The method may also include providing a power supplycoupled to the ultraviolet light source and to the fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a photocatalytic device according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an assembled photocatalytic deviceaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a photocatalyticdevice according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a curvedreflector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the illumination of opposedsurfaces of a target structure according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating another photocatalytic deviceaccording to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, an exploded view of photocatalytic device 100according to some embodiments. As illustrated, photocatalytic device 100may include plate 101, upon which electrical element(s) 102 may bemounted. For example, for example, electrical element(s) 102 may includea plug configured to be coupled to a standard electrical outlet and/orit may include one or more voltage regulators and/or convertersconfigured to obtain electrical power from outlet 103 (or from abattery) and to provide it to one or more of device 100's internalcomponents. Housing or enclosure 104 (e.g., a cylindrical orapproximately cylindrical housing) may be mounted onto plate 101, andmay include one or more inlet openings 105 (e.g., a grill, a vent,etc.). Internal components assembled within housing 104 may includeultraviolet light source 106, one or more photocatalytic structures 107,one or more reflectors 108, and fan 109. The arrangement andinter-relationship of these components may vary in differentembodiments. Generally, ultraviolet light from source 106 shines onphotocatalytic structure(s) 107 either directly or after reflection offof reflector(s) 108.

Diffuser assembly 110 may be coupled to housing 104 and may be adaptedto spread or distribute the air exiting housing 104 via outlet opening111. For example, diffuser 110 may include two or more plates, innerplate 110A having outlet opening 111 and an outer plate 100B. Asillustrated, the two or more plates may be coupled to each other via oneor more columns 110C that provide spacing between these elements. Inother embodiments, however, outer plate 100B may be flat and/orconfigured to allow additional photocatalytic device(s) similar todevice 100 to be stacked or mounted upon device 100, thereby increasingthe collective air processing capacity of the system.

In operation, photocatalytic device 100 may be used in an upright (on aflat surface, vertical stand, etc.) or horizontal position (pluggeddirectly into and supported by outlet 103, horizontal stand, etc.). Whenpowered (e.g., via outlet 103, a battery, etc.), fan 109 may cause airto enter housing 104 via inlet opening 105, circulate through one ormore catalyst substrates 107, and exit housing 104 via an outlet opening111. Ultraviolet light may be provided by ultraviolet light source 106,and catalyst substrates 107 may be adapted to support a hydroxyl radicalreaction with the ultraviolet light and water vapor that results inhydro peroxides and hydroxyl ions within photocatalytic device 100.These hydro peroxides and hydroxyl ions are circulated into the localenvironment by the air flowing through housing 104.

In some embodiments, one or more of plate 101, housing 104, and/ordiffuser 110 may be built with a thermoplastic material such as, forexample, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc. Additionally or alternatively,these elements may be built with thermosetting polymers or the like. Inother embodiments, one or more of plate 101, housing 104, and/ordiffuser 110 may be built with a metal or metal alloy material.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an assembled photocatalytic deviceaccording to some embodiments. Particularly, photocatalytic device 200in an upright configuration is shown with built-in electrical connector102 operable to be connected to plug 203 of base 202. In someembodiments, electrical cord 204 may provide power to connector 102 viaplug 203. For example, base 202 may include one or more power supplyelements (e.g., voltage regulators and/or converters). Additionally oralternatively, device 200 may be battery-operated and base 202 mayinclude an electrical or rechargeable battery.

Internal components including ultraviolet light source 106, one or morephotocatalytic structures 107, one or more reflectors 108, and fan 109are enclosed by housing 104. As previously described, air may enterhousing 104 through inlet opening 105 and it may exit housing 104through outlet opening 111, thus dispersed via exit point 201, which islocated around the perimeter of device 200 between housing 104 and outerplate 110B.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a photocatalyticdevice according to some embodiments. An ultraviolet light source 301generates ultraviolet light 302. One or more photocatalytic structures303 are positioned near ultraviolet light source 301 and are illuminatedby the ultraviolet light 302. In an embodiment, the photocatalyticstructures 303 may include a plurality of fluted structures arranged ina honeycomb formation.

Photocatalytic structures 303 may be, for example, a hydrated catalyticmatrix. When ultraviolet light 302 impacts the photocatalytic structures303, ozone is produced in the catalytic matrix. The catalyst may supporta hydroxyl radical reaction with water vapor that results in hydroperoxides, hydroxyl ions, super oxide ions, passive negative ionshydroxides, and ozonide ions. These are highly reactive chemicalspecies. The hydroxyl radicals are very strong oxidizers and will attackorganic materials. This creates oxidation that helps to reduce odors,volatile organic compounds (VOCs), airborne viruses, bacteria, moldand/or other types of air pollution. The hydrated catalytic matrix maycomprise any catalytic compound, element or combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the hydrated catalytic matrix may be a hydratedmulti-metallic catalyst multi-metallic catalytic matrix. One suchmulti-metallic catalytic matrix may be a multi-metallic catalytic matrixcomprising one or more of: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold, Silver,Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, and Lanthanum, for example. Additionalelements, such as Carbon and/or Fluoride, may also be included in thecatalytic matrix. In other embodiments, different combinations of rareand noble metals may be used for the catalytic matrix in variouscombinations.

Titanium dioxide is a well-known photocatalyst for water and airtreatment as well as for catalytic production of gases. For example,Titanium dioxide has been extensively studied as a photocatalyst for theremediation of contaminated water because it is highly active under UVirradiation, stable, non-toxic, and inexpensive. The properties ofTitanium dioxide, such as surface area, surface charge, crystallinity,surface crystalline plane, particle size, density of surface functionalgroups, and lattice defects, influence the photocatalytic activities ina complex way. The surface property of Titanium dioxide is particularlyimportant in determining the photocatalytic reaction kinetics,mechanisms, and efficiencies because the photocatalytic reactions mostlytake place on the surface. The surface modification of Titanium dioxidehas been tried in various ways which include polymer coating, metaldeposition, anion complexation, and hybridization with silica. Suchmodifications of the Titanium dioxide surface enhance the photocatalyticefficiencies, change the reaction mechanisms, or alter the distributionof intermediates and products.

Each surface modification method has its unique role in affecting thekinetics and mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions. The Platinizationof Titanium dioxide (e.g., Pt/TiO₂) has been established as a popularsurface modification technique because exhibits enhanced activities formany photocatalytic reactions. It is believed that Platinum deposits onTitanium dioxide attract and hold electrons with retarding theirrecombination with holes. It has been reported that Titanium dioxidemodified with both Fluoride and Platinum (e.g., F—TiO2/Pt) exhibits aunique photocatalytic activity for the anoxic degradation of phenoliccompounds and the H₂ production accompanied by the degradation ofphenolic compounds. Other elements, such as Carbon, may also be used inthe photocatalytic structures.

The general scheme for the photocatalytic destruction of organics beginswith its excitation by supra-band-gap photons, and continues throughredox reactions where OH radicals, formed on the photocatalyst surface,play a major role. The presence of Gold and Platinum in the vicinity ofTitanium dioxide has been observed to improve the performance of thephotocatalyst. This effect has been attributed to a better chargeseparation between the photo-induced charge carriers and to an abilityof the metal to prevent the deactivation of the photocatalyst, probablyby a spillover mechanism that supplies oxygen to the Titanium dioxidesurface. In addition to Platinum, other metallic elements may be used ascatalysts either alone or in combination with other elements. Forexample, Ruthenium and Lanthanum may also be used as catalysts alone orin combination with other metals.

Embodiments of the photocatalytic structures disclosed herein will beunderstood to include any one or any combination of two or more of theabove referenced elements in a hydrated catalytic matrix. For example, amulti-metallic catalytic matrix may comprise one or more of: Titaniumdioxide, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, andLanthanum. Additional elements, such as Carbon and/or Fluoride, may alsobe included in the catalytic matrix. In one embodiment, the catalyticmatrix is a hydrated quad-metallic catalyst comprising four or more ofthe above listed elements (not necessarily all metals). In anotherembodiment, the catalytic matrix is a hydrated quintuple-metalliccatalyst comprising five or more of the above listed elements.Additional embodiments comprise higher order-metallic catalysts (e.g.,sextuple-metallic, septuple-metallic, etc.).

Ultraviolet light source 301 may be, for example, a high-intensity,broad-spectrum ultraviolet bulb or tube. In other embodiments, theultraviolet source may be a low pressure fluorescent quartz bulb or amedium pressure amalgam lamp. Ultraviolet light falls in the band oflight between 185 nm and 400 nm. There are three distinct bands of lightwithin the ultraviolet spectrum: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. Longwave UV light(315 nm to 400 nm), or UV-A, refers to what is commonly called “blacklight.” Midrange UV (280 nm to 315 nm), or UV-B, causes sunburn.Germicidal UV light (185 nm to 280 nm), or UV-C, is effective inmicrobial control. Research has demonstrated that the most efficientfrequency for microbial destruction is between 254 nm and 265 nm withinthe UV-C band. Germicidal lamps that produce the majority of theiroutput in this range have proven to be effective in microbialcontrol/destruction.

One or more curved reflectors 304 are positioned to reflect ultravioletlight 305 from ultraviolet light source 301 to the face 308 ofphotocatalytic structures 303. As a result, photocatalytic structures303 receive both direct ultraviolet light from source 301 and reflectedultraviolet light 305 from curved reflectors 304.

Some ultraviolet light 306 passes through photocatalytic structures 303.Additional curved reflectors 307 are positioned so that ultravioletlight 306 is reflected back to photocatalytic structures 303 on the face309 opposite ultraviolet light source 301.

In an embodiment, reflectors 306 and 307 are curved in a manner thatincreases and/or optimizes the distribution of ultraviolet light acrossthe faces 308 and 309 of photocatalytic structures 303.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a curvedreflector according to some embodiments. The inverse-square law of lightresults in a rapid drop-off in the intensity of ultraviolet light as itis radiated away from the light source. The intensity of light wavesradiating from a light source is inversely proportional to the square ofthe distance from the light source. This affects the amount of energyprovided to surfaces that are illuminated by the light source. Forexample, a far surface that is twice as far away from a light source asa near surface, receives only one-quarter of the energy that is receivedby the near surface. Accordingly, it is important to reduce and/orminimize the distance traveled by the ultraviolet light within thephotocatalytic device.

Light source 401 that broadcasts light on target surface 402, whichincludes a plurality of segments 403, 404. Segment 403 receives lightdirectly from source 401, as illustrated by ray 405. Segment 403 alsoreceives light indirectly from source 401 after reflection from curvedreflector 406, as illustrated by ray 407. Light 407 reflected off ofcurved reflector 406 has a total distance C1+C2.

Segment 404 receives light directly from source 401, as illustrated byray 408. Segment 404 also receives light indirectly from source 401after reflection from flat reflector 409, as illustrated by ray 410. Thelight 410 reflected off of flat reflector 409 has a total distanceF1+F2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the distance traveled by ray 410 islonger than the distance traveled by ray 407. Therefore, the ray 407from curved reflector 406 will have a higher intensity and higher energylevel when it reaches segment 403 when compared to the intensity andenergy level of ray 410 when it reaches segment 404.

In addition to reducing and/or minimizing the distance traveled by ray407, curved reflector 406 may also cause the reflected ray to impact thetarget surface 402 in a perpendicular or nearly perpendicular direction.On the other hand, ray 410 reflected off of flat reflector 409 impactsthe target surface 402 at an acute angle. Where segments 403, 404 arehollow structures, such as fluted segments of a honeycomb substrate, theperpendicular rays 407 better illuminates the interior of the segment403 compared to ray 410's illumination of segment 404.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the illumination of opposedsurfaces of a target structure according to some embodiments.Ultraviolet light source 501 generates broadband ultraviolet light thatilluminates target structures 502, 503. Ultraviolet light rays 504impact a near side 505 of target structure 502. Reflected rays 506 alsoimpact the near side 507 of target structure 503. Reflective surface 508is shaped to optimize the impact of reflected rays 506 against nearsurface 507. The curvature R of reflective surface 508 is selected sothat reflected rays 506 travel an optimized minimum distance betweensource 501 and surface 507.

The curvature R of reflective surface 508 may be of a constant radius,such as in a cross-section of a cylindrical surface. In otherembodiments, the curvature R of reflective surface 508 may have avariable radius, such as in a cross-section of a paraboloid orellipsoid. In yet other embodiments, the curvature of reflective surface508 has a radius that varies both in a vertical and horizontaldirection.

Some ultraviolet light, such as rays 509, 510, may pass through targetstructures 502, 503 when those structures are comprised of hollowsegments. Reflective surfaces 511, 512 reflect rays 509, 510 backagainst the far surface 513, 514 of the target structures 502, 503.Reflective surfaces 511, 512 are shaped to optimize the impact ofreflected rays 509, 510 against near surface 507. Like surface 508, thecurvature of reflective surfaces 511, 512 are selected so that reflectedrays 509, 510 travel an optimized minimum distance between source 501and surfaces 513, 514. The curvature of reflective surfaces 511, 512 maybe of a constant radius or a variable radius and/or a radius that variesboth in a vertical and horizontal direction.

The photocatalytic device may include enclosure 515 (e.g., housing 104in FIG. 1) that protects and/or supports the components, includingultraviolet source 501, reflectors 508, 511, 512, and target structures502, 503. Enclosure 515 may include ventilated or perforated sections516, 517 to allow air (518) to flow through the device (e.g., inletopening 105 and/or outlet opening 111 in FIG. 1). Additionally,reflectors 508 may be ventilated or perforated to allow air to flowthrough the device, thereby allowing for the distribution of hydroperoxides, hydroxyl ions, or other ions into a ventilation system orroom.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating another photocatalytic deviceaccording to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, thereflectors in the photocatalytic device may be of a generally curved,convex shape. FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative reflector configurationin which bent reflectors 601-604 have a convex shape, but the reflectorshave straight segments. The reflectors 601-604 serve the same purpose asreflectors 508, 511, 512 (FIG. 5) wherein ultraviolet light from source605 is reflected against the surfaces of target structures 606, 607.

Straight reflectors 601-604 may be preferable to curved reflectors undercertain manufacturing conditions, for example. The size, shape and angleof bent reflectors 601-604 are selected to optimize the uniformdistribution of ultraviolet light across the surfaces of targetstructures 606, 607. It will be understood that other convex shapes mayalso be used for the reflectors in other embodiments. For example,reflector 604 has two segments and thus a single peak. In certainembodiments, however, reflector 604 (or any other of reflectors 601-604)may include two or more peaks (i.e., four or more straight segments),thus creating a “jagged profile.” In some cases, such a jagged profilemay include two or more peaks and valleys with different heights and/orangles that that cause the ultraviolet light to become even more evenlyscattered and/or distributed across the surfaces of target structures606, 607. In some cases, the different heights and/or angles of the twoor more peaks and valleys may be selected using a random orpseudo-random sequence of numbers within one or more threshold value(s)(e.g., minimum height, maximum height, minimum angle, maximum angle,number of segments, etc.).

Similarly as above, the photocatalytic device may have an enclosure 608with ventilated sections 609. Additionally, reflectors 601, 602 may beventilated in order to improve airflow 610 through the photocatalyticdevice.

Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference tospecific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as setforth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figuresare to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense,and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scopeof the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions toproblems that are described herein with regard to specific embodimentsare not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature or element of any or all the claims.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used toarbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus,these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or otherprioritization of such elements. The term “coupled” is defined asconnected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarilymechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unlessstated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, suchas “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as“has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as“includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, suchas “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As aresult, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,”“includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one ormore elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or moreelements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,”“includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one ormore operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or moreoperations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A photocatalytic device, comprising: acylindrical housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; oneor more catalyst substrates disposed within the cylindrical housing andadapted to support a hydroxyl radical reaction with ultraviolet lightand water vapor that results in hydro peroxides and hydroxyl ions, theone or more catalyst substrates comprising a hydrated multi-metalliccatalyst having two or more elements selected from the group: Titaniumdioxide, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, andLanthanum; an ultraviolet light source disposed within the cylindricalhousing and adapted to provide the ultraviolet light to the one or morecatalyst substrates; and a fan disposed within the cylindrical housingand adapted to cause air to enter the cylindrical housing via the inletopening, circulate through the one or more catalyst substrates withinthe cylindrical housing, and exit the cylindrical housing via the outletopening.
 2. The photocatalytic device of claim 1, wherein the hydratedmulti-metallic catalyst further comprises one or more additionalelements.
 3. The photocatalytic device of claim 2, wherein the one ormore additional elements comprise at least one of Carbon and Fluoride.4. The photocatalytic device of claim 1, wherein the one or morecatalyst substrates comprises a hydrated multi-metallic catalyst havingfour elements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon, and Fluoride. 5.The photocatalytic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more catalystsubstrates comprises a hydrated quad-metallic catalyst having fourelements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon, and Fluoride. 6.The photocatalytic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more catalystsubstrates comprises a hydrated quintuple-metallic catalyst having fiveelements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon, and Fluoride. 7.The photocatalytic device of claim 6, wherein the one or more catalystsubstrates comprise a cylindrical catalyst substrate.
 8. Thephotocatalytic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more catalystsubstrates comprises a hydrated sextuple-metallic catalyst having sixelements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon, and Fluoride. 9.The photocatalytic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more catalystsubstrates comprises a hydrated multi-metallic catalyst having at leastfive elements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon, and Fluoride. 10.The photocatalytic device of claim 1, further comprising: a diffusercoupled to the cylindrical housing and adapted to spread the air exitingthe cylindrical housing via the outlet opening.
 11. The photocatalyticdevice of claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic device is configured tooperate in an upright position.
 12. The photocatalytic device of claim1, wherein the photocatalytic device is configured to operate in ahorizontal position when plugged into a wall socket power outlet. 13.The photocatalytic device of claim 1, further comprising: one or morereflectors disposed within the cylindrical housing and positionedadjacent to the one or more catalyst substrates, the one or morereflectors having a shape configured to distribute reflected ultravioletlight from the ultraviolet light source across a surface of the one ormore catalyst substrates.
 14. The photocatalytic device of claim 1,wherein the photocatalytic device is configured to selectively operatein an upright position using a cord extending from the housing andplugged into a wall socket power outlet, and selectively operate in ahorizontal position disposed against a wall using a plug extending fromthe housing plugged into a wall socket power outlet, the wall socketpower outlet supporting the photocatalytic device.
 15. A method,comprising: causing air to enter a cylindrical housing of aphotocatalytic device via an inlet opening, circulate through one ormore catalyst substrates within the cylindrical housing, and exit thecylindrical housing via an outlet opening, the one or more catalystsubstrates adapted to support a hydroxyl radical reaction withultraviolet light and water vapor that results in hydro peroxides andhydroxyl ions within the photocatalytic device, the one or more catalystsubstrates comprising a hydrated multi-metallic catalyst having two ormore elements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, and Lanthanum the ultraviolet lightprovided by an ultraviolet light source disposed within the cylindricalhousing.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more catalystsubstrates comprises a hydrated multi-metallic catalyst having five ormore elements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon, and Fluoride. 17.The method of claim 15, further comprising: reflecting the ultravioletlight by one or more convex reflectors disposed within the cylindricalhousing and positioned adjacent to the one or more catalyst substrates.18. The method of claim 17, wherein a shape of the one or more convexreflectors is configured to minimize a distance between the ultravioletlight source and a near surface of the one or more catalyst substrates.19. The method of claim 17, wherein a shape of the one or more convexreflectors is configured to minimize a distance between the ultravioletlight source and a far surface of the one or more catalyst substrates.20. A photocatalytic device, comprising: a cylindrical housing having aninlet opening and an outlet opening; one or more catalyst substratesdisposed within the cylindrical housing and adapted to support ahydroxyl radical reaction with ultraviolet light and water vapor thatresults in hydro peroxides and hydroxyl ions, the one or more catalystsubstrates comprising a hydrated multi-metallic catalyst having two ormore elements selected from the group: Titanium dioxide, Platinum, Gold,Silver, Copper, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Lanthanum, Carbon and Fluoride; anultraviolet light source disposed within the cylindrical housing andadapted to provide the ultraviolet light to the one or more catalystsubstrates; and a fan disposed within the cylindrical housing andadapted to cause air to enter the cylindrical housing via the inletopening, circulate through the one or more catalyst substrates withinthe cylindrical housing, and exit the cylindrical housing via the outletopening.